What the what?!?!?! I am astounded that anyone would be treated that way at this time in the history of humankind. Very, very weird. Wow. Honestly, anyone who said or did what you've described - I would either look directly at the person and say, "I'm a freak and proud of it". (I really would, very calmly, very clearly.) OR I would just give the person a blank stare, shrug, and get on with my business.

And frankly, I would celebrate myself if I believed that I looked unusual (or not unusual!). Get pierced. Get tattooed. Wear awesome, outrageous clothing. Move to California where people would admire you and you would set a trend.